MGM Grand
 

Would like to know what you think of MGM Grand. I am planning a vacation in November to Vegaswith my wife and two children 14 & 15.

We stayed there this Christmas for 2 nights. My kids are l4 and l8 and I had a l9 year old nephew with me. They constantly were across the street at the hotel ( I'm having a brain freeze for the name) with the medevial theme, looks like a castle. My kids claim it is more kid friendly. My husband and I did not like the food and the court restaurants in the MGM and were over at the Rio a lot. The Rio has the Entertainer of the Year and wins hands down for the best buffet in Vegas. The lines proved it We ditched the lines and went upstairs to an EXCELLENT Mexican food restaurant. We tried the one at MGM- yuck but the Rio was great! For the best organized hotel/casino/ we vote on Caesar's palace. Parking is easy there. Not so, says my husband, at the MGM. So there is our viewpoint!

Sorry, brain freeze is gone- it's the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. They have a show of Knights on horses doing a jousting contest. You can find in in the EXCITE search engine.

The MGM is huge. My kids (5 & 8 at the time) loved the amusement park and the Emerald City theme area which had a nice little magic show. They also loved the pool area --a couple of acres with a splash area and elaborate pools. For a quite reasonable price (under $100) we got a very large "mini-suite" with a living room at one end and 2 queen beds (2 color TVs) and a bedroom size bathroom. The negatives are --the lines at check-in can be formidable and --it takes so long to get anywhere in the hotel. Next time, we would probably try the Mirage which is convenient to Caesar's, Treasure Island, Bally's etc.

Was there a few weeks ago, with 11 and 13 yr olds. We all loved it. Yes, size can be intimidating, especially when you drive up amd the entrance is like a 6-lane freeway!! But there are many great things about it if you will be there with kids. Actually, the kids found it pretty easy to navigate from the hotel room to the public areas. There are fast food stands in the "StudioWalk" area--a great convenience(also great gourmet coffee place!) Theme park is fun, not expensive if you are a hotel guest(allday pass was only $5 on our"special") The pool area just reopened after remodel and is gorgeous. We didn't try the wildlife theme restaurant there, but it looked very "nice and was full. There is a" New Orleans fish restaurant that is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the city. There is also a video arcade and virtual reality arcade . Great fun, fun , fun city--very unreal--but that is part of the fun. Try to find the internet site for the Las Vegas Taxicab Drivers--great information and lists of "bests"Feel free to email me and I will jog my memory for more recommendations that are family-oriented. (by the way , I don't gamble at all and had a fantastic vacation there--not enough time with only 4 days. ) Also--don't miss Red RocKPark just outside the city if you have never seen Southwest scenery but don't have time to drive far.

Hi we were there in Feb. with our teens 15 and 16. We usually stay at the Monte Carlo which is owned jointly by Mirage and Circus Circus but run like a mirage type hotel.They had some room problems and put us up at the MGM. We had a fabulous suite but I need to tell you that this is the largest hotel in the world, something like 5000 rooms. The casino is huge and a bit confusing. We ate in the Coyote Cafe (of Santa Fe),the coffee shop which were quite good and the Rain Forest Cafe, a chain of theme restaurants which was overpriced, noisy and a LONG wait. The location is fabulous however. There is a Cineplex next door and a fabulous state of the art arcade with rock climbing indoors, and lots to see. It is on the corner across from the New York, New York Hotel, across from the Tropicana Hotel and diagonal from the Excalibur. The Excalibur has not been remodeled in 10 years I am told and in Vegas that is a LONG time. The Luxor is up the street however specify the new towers if you stay there. I like the Mirage very much but it is a LONG walk to your room from the front door. Caesar's I've never stayed in so no real comment. Don't miss their fabulous mall with cineride type attraction.
Theme park at the MGM is nice and pretty tame for teens used to big thrill rides, but they enjoyed about 3 hours there.
The Rio has a great reputation and I believe all their rooms are suites. The food is supposed to be great. I've never gotten in though. The location is off the Strip which is the main boulevard.
More questions email me. Have Fun!

We just got back with two boys 14 & 18. Again I will stand by the Monte Carlo. I agree the big places can just be overwhelming especially for kids. The Monte Carlo is beautiful, great pool, close to MGM, Excaliber, New York New York and tram to take you to the other end of the strip. My boys loved it. They got their bearings and were able to take off and casino hop. During the day only. Be sure and take the family to the Lance Burton magic show ($35) He is fantastic for both adults and kids. MGM for the youn kids. Excaliber or Monte Carlo for older. The Monte Carlo is new, clean, and family friendly. Video place, fast food as well as buffets. It's just great for the money.

At MGM, most people really enjoy the Rainforest Cafe and rate the food and service well above average. It appeals to all ages, but kids especially.

Las Vegas is a destination for southern California teens as soon as they get their drivers llicenses. However, the law states that you have to be 21 to gamble so I wouldn't encourage your children to think that they will be able to do this. Mine were tossed consistently from the casinos, but they kept going back because they loved the cheap cafeteria style all you can eat meals, the noise, the shows and now all the other stuff. Was there last year with a 21 year old--I'm getting old because I was glad to leave. We did stay at the MGM and the rooms are beautiful and QUIET!! Have fun.